The mariculture industry provides economic diversification to coastal communities as well as environmental benefits such as improved water quality, resulting from the water-filtering properties of oysters and clams (NC Shellfish Mariculture Advisory Committee, 2018). These benefits have encouraged the North Carolina (NC) legislature to devote resources to strategies that would develop this industry, including the creation of a North Carolina Oyster Trail (NCOT). To expand and ensure the sustainability of this NCOT effort, greater information is needed about the demand for mariculture tourism experiences. Therefore, a mixed-method approach was taken to generate an inventory of existing assets and resources needed for the future growth of the NCOT. This presentation reflects upon lessons learned from the implementation of this mixed-method study and adaptation strategies employed to continue the study in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.